18U PG OKC Challenge
6/2-5/23
Kai Lane
@Scoutlane11
In the midst of the Women’s College World Series, elite athletes from all over the South, and Midwest met in Oklahoma for the PG OKC Challenge. The players went head to head on the red dirt as they battled for first place, prevailing over the competition was the Texas Lady Dukes FPB 18U, going undefeated, scoring 23 runs and allowing 2. The runner-ups were the Oklahoma Athletics 18U premier Cronic, scoring 24 runs, allowing 1 and their only loss being to the Lady Dukes’.
MV-Pitcher winner, Willow Vanharen (2023 Holdenville, OK), topping out at 62 mph and armed with a rise, screw, change-up, curve and fastball, appears to be next level ready at this time. The lanky LHP for Oklahoma Athletics 18u Premier Cronic, displayed her ability to challenge hitters inside, throwing both her screw and curve to both sides of the plate. She would change levels and velocity with the rise and change-up, not allowing hitters to square up pitches or look for one specific pitch. In her 14 innings of work, Vanharen struck out 21 batters and was consistently around the strike zone, finishing with a 0.98 WHIP.
Earning MVP honors was Madison Saldana (2024 Magnolia, TX) a RHH for the championship winning Texas Lady Dukes FPB 18u. Starting with a conventional parallel stance, Saldana has a slight crouch in the legs, and bend at the waist with little movement pre-pitch. She uses a small stride to gain separation and appears to rely on her legs and upper body strength to generate bat speed and power. Saldana collected five hits, none bigger than the 2-run bomb she hit in international tie breaker, that turned out to be the game winner. She finished with a double and two homeruns, scoring 6 runs and knocking in eight while hitting at an even .500 clip.
Kaylee Carter (2024 Moore, OK) plays third base for the Oklahoma Athletics 18u Premier, Carter stands 5 feet and 11 inches, she is athletic and has a great glove on one of the hot corners of the infield. Kaylee plays with her heart, she gives her all every play, she has a strong first step to the left and a reliable backhand, accompanied by a fast transition and consistent accuracy throwing across the diamond. At the plate Kaylee has a smooth swing, her bat path is straight to the ball, strong legs and extension help her drive the ball all over the field. She has 7 hits, scored 7 runs, 5 RBI, and 3 stolen bases. Her batting average for the weekend was .686 and her on-base percentage was .714!
Kassidy Dressman (2024 Texas City, TX) true lefty for the Texas Lady Dukes 18u, Dressman plays first and outfield, she brings energy to the field, communicating with and encouraging her teammates. Kassidy had a successful weekend at the plate, a power lefty, she does a great job of laying off of pitches that are not in her wheelhouse until transitioning to her two-strike approach. Then her zone expands, fouls off close pitches, and does an excellent job of getting her barrel on the center of the softball. She has 7 hits, 7 runs, 5 RBI, and 2 stolen bases. Her batting average in OKC was .636 and her on-base percentage was .692!
Brylee Fanning (2024 Oklahoma City, OK) is the shortstop of the Oklahoma Athletics 18u Premier, the Oklahoma native throws and bats on the right side. She is scrappy, hardworking, and adaptable, with the fast pace of the game of softball adaptability is a strong quality to have as a player. Brylee is dependable in the 6-hole, she makes the routine plays that always determine games. At the plate Fanning had 5 hits, 2 of those being doubles, and 1 triple, scoring 7 runs and 4 RBI. She had an average of
Olivia See (2023 Mustang, OK) outfielder for the Oklahoma Athletics 18u Premier, is a strong arm to have on the field. She does an outstanding job of tracking fly balls in the air, she takes a hard first step on her drop step and also is quick to come in on balls that are hit in “no man’s land” the space between the infield and the outfielders. At the plate, See has good eyes, pun intended. She averaged .778 overall this weekend. Olivia had 7 hits, including 6 singles, 1 double, 6 runs, and 3 RBI. With her agility on the base path, she acquired 4 stolen bases.
Berlynn McLauren (2023 Brazoria, TX), right-handed pitcher of the Texas Lady Dukes 18u, is a vital part of the pitching staff on the Lady Dukes. She has a drop, curve, rise, and change in her arsenal of pitches. Her ability to place her curve on the corner or in the river entices players to swing on two strikes at a pitch that is too close to let it go by, but they cannot barrel up. Of her 15 innings pitched she had 20 strike-out 7 walks and 6 earned runs.
Cameron Bishop (2023 Austin, TX) of the BC National 18u, is a lefty pitcher, she stands at 5 feet and 10 inches tall, her height assists in pushing off the mound, closing the gap between her and the batter. She consistently throws her rise, screw, and drop at 60 MPH, and her change-up at 48 MPH. In her 10.1 innings pitched, she had 17 strike-outs and allowed 5 hits, 5 walks, and only 3 earned runs. She has confidence about her that is exciting to see in a young athlete. She adapts to the strike zones of the umpire and makes adjustments each time she sees a batter. The ability to adapt and keep batters on their toes is an elite skill that is acquired over time with many innings put in the circle.